Borghese Gallery Tour

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
  • E-ticket/Mobile voucher
4.7 Based on 7 Reviews
  • duration 2 hours
  • tour type Small group
  • age requirement 5-79 yrs
  • max group size 15
  • guiding method Fully guided
  • Tour Code BM-1248
  • Footprint Carbonneutral CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
  • Operated in English
  • Starts/Ends Rome, Italy
HIGHLIGHTS
  • A 17th-century villa built by Cardinal Scipione Borghese specifically to show off his art
  • The most beautiful marble sculptures in existence including Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne
  • Admire the beauty of one of the sexiest and most scandalous women Pauline Bonaparte
  • Bask in the gritty grandeur of Caravaggio’s St. John the Baptist and David and Goliath
Imagine a palace that was specifically built to house amazing works of art. Its twenty rooms are treasure troves of visual splendor: every wall holds a masterpiece, every pedestal supports exquisitely carved marble, and even the ceilings sing with divine frescoes. Well, you don’t have to imagine it because this is a description of the Galleria Borghese, Rome’s most exclusive and intimate art museum. Built in the 17th century by Cardinal Scipione Borghese specifically to house his magnificent art collection, it was once only open to royals and visiting dignitaries. Today, it lets in groups at two-hour intervals (with pre-reserved tickets) to ensure that its 20 rooms of masterpieces are never overcrowded.

Once inside, your expert, English-speaking guide will lead you on a highlight tour of the collection, showing you well-known works like Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne, Rape of Proserpina, and David; Caravaggio’s St. John the Baptist; and Canova’s Pauline Bonaparte; along with lesser-known gems like Raphael’s Lady with a Unicorn; and Bassano’s The Last Supper.

Along the way you will be able to indulge in one of the rarest aesthetic pleasures: Seeing great art in the setting that it was meant to be seen in. Before public art museums this was how the luckiest people in Europe viewed paintings and sculptures and it’s frankly fantastic.

What they often didn’t have was an expert, English-speaking guide to help interpret and give context to the art. Yours brings an incredible passion to the proceedings and will inform you of all the backstories that lend each work depth and nuance. From the quirks of Cardinal Borghese to the heartbreaking story of the commissioning of Raphael’s The Deposition, this is a journey through art like none you have taken before.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • Pre-reserved, all-inclusive Borghese Gallery Tickets
  • Expert, English-Speaking guide
  • Headsets for groups over 6
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
4.7 - Excellent
Based on 7 reviews
  • Jon Herring
  • From UK
  • On Jun 13 2016
5 - Excellent
Great guide and tour
Great guide, Tanguy was obviously passionate about the material and made the Bernini sculptures come alive. The intimate nature of the gallery makes it a great small group tour, we really felt like we absorbed so much more... Read more
  • Noreen Matts
  • From USA
  • On Nov 18 2015
4 - Very Good
Wonderful!
Our guide was wonderful. She took time to explain, patiently answered questions and made sure we got to see as much as we possibly could in two hours. She seemed to be quite the art expert. Quite enjoyable.
  • Louise Ritenhouse
  • From Australia
  • On Nov 07 2015
5 - Excellent
Great tour
I wasn't expecting anything from this tour. My husband wanted to see the Caravaggio so I just went along. I've forgotten the tour guides name but I will never forget what I saw and learned from him. I've always liked sculptures... Read more
  • Hsien Tan
  • From Australia
  • On Nov 06 2015
5 - Excellent
Excellent tour
Guido was an excellent and knowledgeable guide who was passionate about the the Galleria Borghese. Excellent experience overall.
Why Book with Bookmundi
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  • 25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
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What are customers saying about Bookmundi
Excellent
4.65 Average 674 Reviews
GOOD TO KNOW
CANCELLATION

Cancellations:
- For cancellations made more than 72 hours prior to tour commencement: Full refund.
- For cancellations made within 72 hours prior to tour commencement: No refund can be provided.

Amendments:
- For amendments made more than 72 hours prior to tour commencement: No amendment fee, pending availability.
- For amendments made within 72 hours prior to tour commencement: Amendments subject to a amendment fee per person, per tour, pending availability.

Late Arrivals & No Shows:
- No refunds or re-bookings can be provided for late arrivals or no shows after tour commencement or departure.

Other Practical Information● Gratuities to guides are appreciated but never obligatory. ● Please note that the tour meeting time is 15 minutes prior to the start time. No refunds or re-bookings can be provided for late arrivals or no shows after tour commencement or departure. ● The Borghese museum does not allow any bags, purses into the galleries. All such items must be checked before entering the museum, which your guide will help you with upon arrival. ● Please note that the second floor of the Borghese Gallery is not wheelchair accessible. As a result we are unable to accommodate wheelchair users or guests with reduced mobility on this tour.
NEED HELP OR HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS TOUR?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
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